Bolts by the Bay
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Tampa Bay Lightning: How Can The Team Get Back On Track?

By Tasha St. Pierre

Jan 26, 2017; Sunrise, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers with center Alex Killorn (17) defenseman Victor Hedman (77) left wing Jonathan Drouin (27) and center Tyler Johnson (9) in the first period at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2017; Sunrise, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers with center Alex Killorn (17) defenseman Victor Hedman (77) left wing Jonathan Drouin (27) and center Tyler Johnson (9) in the first period at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tampa Bay Lightning
Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

By: Chase Kimball – Bolts By The Bay Contributor

It’s no secret, the Tampa Bay Lightning is in a bit of a slump right now.  Actually, it’s a bit more than a slump. If the Bolts don’t get it together, they could go from contending for the cup to missing the playoffs in one disappointing season.

The Lightning has lacked consistency all season long.  Aside from injuries, a lack of consistency has been what has killed the Lightning so far.  One game they might play like it’s Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final while the next night they’ll play like they haven’t won a game in a month.

Because of this, the Tampa Bay Lightning haven’t been able to get in a groove and play their game hardly at all this season.  

In order to win on any given night, the offense, defense, and goalie must be playing the best they can and work together efficiently.  This seems obvious, but it’s much easier said than done.  

There have been games where Ben Bishop or Andrei Vasilevskiy have played their heart out and the defense has been his defense, but the offense wasn’t able to get on the board.  Likewise, some games the defense has absolutely left the netminders out to dry, making even the most miraculous of comebacks impossible.

If one link in the chain isn’t performing, the entire thing falls apart.

Lately, it seems that something hasn’t been clicking on one front or another for the Lightning. Consistency has to be found.  The Bolts have to fall in some groove or another so they can plan around the way they are playing.  If the Lightning can’t find some kind of consistency in their play, they are facing an unceremoniously early end to their season.

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